Shadow Hills Elementary School 4th graders from left to right, David Lazaro, Samuel Martinez, Julian Barajas, and Byron Heron, work together using “Flexi-Sticks” to follow patterns as part of an event to help promote math at Kaiser High School in Fontana on Thursday, November 8, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

“Math can be a little challenging, but something like this shows students that they can have a good time solving problems,” said Belinda Gutierrez, an instructional support math teacher at Kaiser. “It’s rewarding to see the smiles on the kids’ faces, to see them jumping up and down with excitement, having a good time.”

Oak Park Elementary School 4th graders Samantha Diaz, left, and Kalia Davis, react after solving a puzzle as part of an event to help promote math at Kaiser High School in Fontana on Thursday, November 8, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Local elementary and middle school students rotate to different tables playing games related to math as part of an event at Kaiser High School in Fontana on Thursday, November 8, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Belinda Gutierrez, an Instructional Support Math Teacher, watches as 4th grade students from Canyon Crest Elementary School work on a math related game as part of an event to help promote math at Kaiser High School in Fontana on Thursday, November 8, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Local elementary and middle school students play a variety of games related to math as part of an event at Kaiser High School in Fontana on Thursday, November 8, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Shadow Hills Elementary School 4th graders from left to right, David Lazaro, Samuel Martinez, Julian Barajas, and Byron Heron, work together using “Flexi-Sticks” to follow patterns as part of an event to help promote math at Kaiser High School in Fontana on Thursday, November 8, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Kaiser High School students and Link Crew members Sarah Velasco, left, and Mc Kenzie Day help 5th grade students from Beech Elementary School figure out why some items float and others don’t during an event promoting math in Fontana on Thursday, November 8, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Local elementary and middle school students play a variety of games related to math as part of an event at Kaiser High School in Fontana on Thursday, November 8, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Local elementary and middle school students play a variety of games related to math as part of an event at Kaiser High School in Fontana on Thursday, November 8, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

8th graders Noel Padilla, left, Valarie Iniguez, middle, and Natalie Gamero, (CQ), from Southridge Middle School, play a variety of games related to math as part of an event at Kaiser High School in Fontana on Thursday, November 8, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Teams consisted of no more than eight students – chosen by school leaders – and a teacher. Kids had 10 minutes to complete such brain teasers as the Peg Game, On the Dot and Will It Float? Young Einsteins solved math riddles, built sturdy stands for textbooks using a single piece of paper and strategically navigated a tiny robot.

Other Fontana schools will participate in math days next month at A.B. Miller High, with a final math competition for winners scheduled for March.

“We talk about math not just being about numbers, but about real-life application,” Halverson said. “We try to find a connection with what we’re doing and why it’s important. Something like this opens their eyes to other math concepts that aren’t just numbers.”

On the same note, in this increasingly digital world, Kristin Zoetemelk, a fourth-grade teacher at Shadow Hills Elementary, said students must see the importance of communication and collaboration in tackling the task at-hand. It is her hope that her pint-sized mathematicians share what they learned Thursday with others.

“Because kids can have fun through activities other than electronics,” she said.

Brian Whitehead covers San Bernardino for The Sun. Bred in Grand Terrace, he graduated from Riverside Notre Dame High and Cal State Fullerton. For seven years, he covered high school and college sports for The Orange County Register. Before landing at The Sun, he was the city beat reporter for Buena Park, Fullerton and La Palma.